6 Causes of a Leaking Shower and How to Fix It

A leaking shower can mess up your morning routine, but luckily, there’s usually a simple fix. You just need to do a little detective work. If you can identify the problem, you can fix it yourself with fewer trips to the hardware store for supplies or by hiring the right pro. Here are some common causes of a leaky shower and how to fix them.

Why Is My Shower Leaking?

There are many different reasons a shower could leak—from plumbing issues and faulty parts to signs of a leaking shower pan. The leak can be traced to a specific area of your shower, whether it’s your showerhead, drain, door, or floor. Here are some common causes:

• Problems with the seal in your shower liner or tray

• Cracks in your shower liner or tray

• Crumbling caulk and cracked or chipped grout

• Worn-out faucet or showerhead

• Clogged showerhead

• Water supply leak, especially from damaged or improperly installed pipe connections

• A cracked flange or damaged gasket in your shower drain

Identifying a Leak

Before you can fix a hidden bathroom leak, you need to know where it’s coming from. It may not always be from your shower. If you have a leaky shower, you may notice water damage or mold growth on the ceiling or walls surrounding your shower, dampness on carpets or clothing near the shower, and electrical malfunctions in wires inside adjacent walls. If you think your shower has sprung a leak, you can check with the following steps:

• To prevent the shower drain from draining, cover it with duct tape. Apply the tape a good 6 inches all the way around the drain to keep the water out.

• Without using the showerhead, fill the shower up to the top of the shower floor pan. Use buckets, a hose, or a different water source.

• Now, wait for 15 to 20 minutes, then see if the leak appears. You might see water or watermarks on the ceiling below or when you look in the basement or crawl space.

• Once you have confirmed there’s a shower leak, you can begin to address the issue. The following are five causes of a leaking shower and how to troubleshoot them.

1. Leaky Showerhead

If you notice that annoying slow drip, even when the water is off, you’ve got a leaky showerhead on your hands. The simplest scenario results from a clog from mineral deposits that are especially common for homeowners with hard water. To fix it, unclog the showerhead using vinegar and baking soda.

If that doesn’t work, the leak could be caused by worn or damaged seals. The rubber washers and O-rings that seal the space between your showerhead and the hose tend to wear down over time, so you may need to replace your showerhead.

How to Replace a Showerhead 

Replacing a showerhead is often as easy as unscrewing the old one and screwing in a new one. It depends on the type of shower and whether or not you want to upgrade. No matter the model, you can change a showerhead yourself. 

2. Leaking Shower Faucet 

A leaky shower faucet can quickly increase your water bill—not to mention it can be extremely annoying. This common problem happens when the internal parts of the faucet wear out over time.

The most frequent culprit is a worn-out washer, O-ring, or cartridge inside the faucet handle. You might also notice mineral buildup from hard water that prevents the faucet from sealing properly when you close it.

A leaky shower faucet can cause water stains and lead to more serious problems over time when left unchecked, so repair or replace a leaky faucet when you notice it. 

How to Fix a Leaking Shower Faucet 

Fixing a leaky faucet involves replacing the damaged parts inside the handle. The exact process depends on the type of shower faucet, including whether it’s a single- or double-handle faucet or another type.

If you’re not comfortable with faucet repairs, make sure to hire a plumber who can quickly identify the problem and make sure that everything is properly sealed. 

3. Shower Pan or Floor Leaks 

If you notice a leak coming through the ceiling or crawl space that’s underneath your shower, the problem is likely in your shower floor. A lot of the time, floor or shower pan leaks are the result of an improperly installed liner or pan (you’ll notice it might move or have a crack), chipped grout (if you have tile), or aging caulk. You can regrout your tile and replace damaged caulk, but if your shower pan is cracked or damaged, it’s best to call a local shower repair pro. 

Replacing a Shower Pan

If you’re handy and have a standard-sized shower, you may be able to replace a damaged shower pan on your own. First, measure the shower floor size twice, noting where the drain is located. Then head to the hardware store for a replacement that fits your measurements. Follow the manufacturer’s installation process. Take special care to make sure the water is off and that the floor is level.

4. Shower Drain Leaks

If you have a problem beneath your shower and it’s not the floor or shower pan, it could be a leaking shower drain. Drains wear out over time, and you will eventually need to replace them. Luckily, there are some DIY options.

How to Replace a Shower Drain 

If you feel comfortable, you can replace the shower drain on your own. It’s easier with a prefab shower made of plastic or fiberglass. That way, you won’t have to mess with the pipes, and you can install a new drain right from the top.

Your drain may come with instructions that guide you through the process. The hardest part is removing the old drain flange, which may require using a hacksaw. After that, you can install the new drain, caulk around it to seal it against the shower base and install the drain cover.

5. Wall Leaks in Shower Grout 

If you see any missing or cracked grout, that might be your issue. The spot can be quite small and still let water through—so you’ll need to look carefully. You can check by using a bucket of water to splash a small section of the wall at a time. Check for leaks as you go. Keep looking even after you’ve found one. There might be more where that came from.

If you have a leak or spots where the grout is missing, scrape out any loose material and regrout the area. If you’re comfortable, you can do this yourself. However, beware that tiles can easily pop off and break in the process. Hire a grout repair service near you if you’re trying to save the original tile.

DIY Tile Regrouting

Regrouting your shower tile should only take a couple of hours. You’ll need to remove the old grout using an oscillating multi-tool and a scraper, mix the new grout, apply it with a grout float, and clean up the excess with a sponge. Always wear a mask and safety goggles since removal can cause quite a bit of debris to fly.

6. Shower Door Leaks

Spotting a shower door leak is simple. Run the shower and wait to see if water starts dripping through the spaces around the door. Most of the time, this issue results from a worn-down seal, and you’ll need to replace it.

How to Seal Shower Door Frames 

To seal your shower door, you’ll have to remove the old sealing strip. If it doesn't pull away, you can use a knife or flathead screwdriver. After that, remove all of the adhesive using an adhesive remover, then wash the area. Cut your new seal to the proper length and glue it down using silicone caulk.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Fix a Shower Leak

Some shower leaks are easier to fix than others. You may be able to make minor repairs on your own—like replacing a showerhead, reinstalling a shower door seal, or caulking an area. Other repairs aren’t so easy, and a DIY fix will increase your chances of damaging your shower, plumbing, or both. The cost of repairing water damage alone is $3,900 on average, whereas most bathroom leak repairs cost $150 to $600 if you hire a plumber in your area.